…as troops neutralizes 814 terrorists, arrested 1,326 criminals
By Joy Odor
The Defence Headquaters (DHQ) has vowed to deal decisively and ceaselessly punish terrorists and other violent extremist groups with overwhelming military force, if they do not come to the table in peace.
This is even as the military neutralized 814 terrorists, arrested 1,326 criminals, arrested 42 kidnappers, 231 collaborators, 33 armed robbers, 80 cattle rustlers, 325 militias, 27 rails vandals, 73 gunrunners, 191 suspected oil thieves and rescued 721 kidnapped hostages.
All amounting to an estimated sum of N4 billion denied to the oil thieves across the 6 geopolitical zones.
The Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO) Major General, Edward Buba who made the vow at the Quarterly Review briefing of the Joint Task Forces Operational Activities from June – August 2023 and the on Ongoing Military Operational Activities by the Armed Forces of Nigeria across the 6 geopolitical zones in Abuja on Thursday.
He informed that the groups risk annihilation if they fail to do so, maintaining that the terrorists and their cohorts are encouraged to drop their arms and rejoin society to provide a better life for themselves and their children.
The DDMO noted that the counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations of the armed forces across the country in the last 3 months demonstrates the will of the armed forces to defeat terrorist and other violent extremist groups including those who support and finance them.
Maj. Gen Buba opined that during the period under review, offensive operations and air strikes were conducted to hit the groups and the terrorist where it hurts them most.
He narrated that it is clear from the operations that the terrorist and their cohorts have sustained a significant number of casualties and would continue to sustain even more casualties.
The DDMO bemoans that the illusion by the groups to embark on terrorism or insurgency is laughable, saying they have become more of a criminal organization which is the reason they fight.
According to him, the groups fight so that, they can keep profiting from criminal activities such as illegal mining, kidnapping, cattle rustling, illegal levies on fishing and farming communities and all other unholy forms of criminal inclinations.
Maj Gen Buba warned those supporting terrorists that, they have picked the wrong side and would face similar fate as the criminals and murders.
Additionally, he said, 4,560 terrorist and their families surrendered to troops.
Troops recovered a total number of 501 weapons, 3,577 livestock, 3,269 assorted kinds of ammunition and 674 other equipment.
The breakdown of these arms and ammunition is as follows; 117 AK47 rifle, one AK49 rifle, 5 revolver, 28 fabricated rifles, 11 fabricated pistols, 57 dane guns, 23 pistols, 24 pump action guns, 3 FN rifles, 3 GPMGs, one double barrel gun, one barreta pistol, one G3 rifle, 2 HK21 rifles one IED, 123 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 2,008 rounds of 7.62mm special, 30 rounds of 7.62mm x 39mm, 512 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm, 190 rounds of 5.5mm, 39 rounds of 9mm, 29 rounds of PKM, and 19 cartridges.
Troops equally recovered: one RPG tube, 3 hand grenades, one locally made hand grenade, one locally made bomb, 2 rifle butts, one AK47 barrel, one GMPG barrel, 2 MG links, 98 AK47 magazines, 2 G3 magazines, 2 FN magazines, 2 PKT magazines, 2 LMG magazines, 2 tear gas launchers, one bullet proof vest, 49 vehicles, 213 motorcycles, 48 bicycles, 69 mobile phones, 5 boafeng radios, 4 woodland camouflages, 2 boots, 74 knives, 71 handsets, 11 laptops, 13 steering rods and pumps, 45 machetes and 25 jack knives.
Furthermore, troops recovered 213 motorcycle, 69 mobile phones, one bicycle, 10 machete and a pair of camouflage.
Troops operations in South South geopolitical zone resulted in the arrest of the following; 6,652,250 litres of stolen crude oil, 3,558,325 litres of illegally refined AGO, 288,650 litres of DPK and 65,600 PMS.
The DDMO concluded that the armed forces would continue to apply strong military pressure on groups undermining the national security of the country.
He added that the military will also work tirelessly to ensure safety and security of Nigerians, stressing that the trust and cooperation from supportive groups being witnessed is unprecedented.
He stated that the inputs from the groups is making a difference in military operations as the DHQ encouraged citizens to Know Something, Say Something and we will do something about it.
